Economic evaluation of weekends-off antiretroviral therapy for young people in 11 countries

Tierrablanca, L.; Ochalek, Jessica; Ford, Deborah; Babiker, A; Gibb, Diana; Butler, Karina; Turkova, Anna; Griffin, Susan; Revill, Paul

doi:10.1097/md.0000000000009698

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…However, the findings can be generalised to the older adult population, some of whom may also benefit from weekends off treatment. A cost-effectiveness analysis to 48 weeks found significant ART cost savings with SCT in settings using generic and branded antiretrovirals and no differences in costs of inpatient or outpatient care or laboratory tests between the arms [ 17 ]. If widely accepted, the SCT strategy could offer substantial cost-savings for national programmes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Weekends-off efavirenz-based antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected children, adolescents and young adults (BREATHER): Extended follow-up results of a randomised, open-label, non-inferiority trial

et al. 2018

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BackgroundWeekends off antiretroviral therapy (ART) may help engage HIV-1-infected young people facing lifelong treatment. BREATHER showed short cycle therapy (SCT; 5 days on, 2 days off ART) was non-inferior to continuous therapy (CT) over 48 weeks. Planned follow-up was extended to 144 weeks, maintaining original randomisation.MethodsBREATHER was an open-label, non-inferiority trial. Participants aged 8-24yrs with virological suppression on efavirenz-based first-line ART were randomised 1:1, stratified by age and African/non-African sites, to remain on CT or change to SCT. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the proportion of participants with viral rebound (confirmed VL≥50 copies/mL) under intent-to-treat at 48 weeks (primary outcome), and in extended follow-up at 96, 144, and 192 weeks. SCT participants returned to CT following viral rebound, 3 VL blips or discontinuation of efavirenz.FindingsOf 199 participants (99 SCT, 100 CT), 97 per arm consented to extended follow-up. Median follow-up was 185.3 weeks (IQR 160.9–216.1). 69 (70%) SCT participants remained on SCT at last follow-up. 105 (53%) were male, baseline median age 14 years (IQR 12–18), median CD4 count 735 cells/μL (IQR 576–968). 16 SCT and 16 CT participants had confirmed VL≥50 copies/mL by the end of extended follow-up (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.50–2.00). Estimated difference in percentage with viral rebound (SCT minus CT) by week 144 was 1.9% (90% CI -6.6–10.4; p = 0.72) and was similar in a per-protocol analysis. There were no significant differences between arms in proportions of participants with grade 3/4 adverse events (18 SCT vs 16 CT participants; p = 0.71) or ART-related adverse events (10 vs 12; p = 0.82). 20 versus 8 serious adverse events (SAEs) were reported in 16 SCT versus 4 CT participants, respectively (p = 0.005 comparing proportions between groups; incidence rate ratio 2.49, 95%CI 0.71–8.66, p = 0.15). 75% of SAEs (15 SCT, 6 CT) were hospitalisations for a wide range of conditions. 3 SCT and 6 CT participants switched to second-line ART following viral failure (p = 0.50).ConclusionsSustainable non-inferiority of virological suppression in young people was shown for SCT versus CT over median 3.6 years. Standard-dose efavirenz-based SCT is a viable option for virologically suppressed HIV-1 infected young people on first-line ART with 3-monthly VL monitoring.Trial registrationEudraCT 2009-012947-40ISRCTN 97755073ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01641016

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many also reported improved adherence to ART during the week [ 16 ]. A cost effectiveness analysis showed significant total cost savings and non-significant total health benefits with SCT [ 17 ]. In spite of the success of this strategy, there were questions over longer-term efficacy on SCT.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Weekends-off efavirenz-based antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected children, adolescents and young adults (BREATHER): Extended follow-up results of a randomised, open-label, non-inferiority trial

et al. 2018

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“…In article, “Economic evaluation of weekends-off antiretroviral therapy for young people in 11 countries” [ 1 ] , which appeared in Volume 97, Issue 5 of Medicine , the authors would like to add some details to the acknowledgement section. The acknowledgement should appear as:…”

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confidence: 99%